7 Top Adaptogen Herbs Used for Controlling Stress

Herbs to Control Stress

I love herbs…

Did you know they are a natural source for controlling stress? If you deal with daily anxiety and frazzled nerves, this may eventually become acute stress.  These 7 top adaptogen herbs are perfect for managing stress.  Well, how do they do that? Through the regulation of hormones.  They fortify the body’s immune system by assisting in cellular sensitivity to stress.

What Are Adaptogens?

So just what is an adaptogen herb?

Adaptogens are natural substances that work with your body.  In doing so, they also help you to adapt to stressful situations. Adaptogens offer several other health benefits too, including:

• Boosting the immune system
• Supporting weight management
• Mental focus
• Encouraging a balanced mood

These benefits are as simple as adding adaptogens to your regular diet.  Certainly, you can increase adaptogen intake, by using them in a supplement form also.

The 7 top adaptogen herbs are Panax ginseng, holy basil, astragalus root, and ashwagandha (withania somnifera).  Also, you can use Rhodiola (rhodiola rosea), Licorice Root, and reishi (ganoderma lucidum), mushroom.   I have used these herbs and found them to be very helpful.

Let’s See How To Control Stress Using These Top Adaptogen Herbs

1. Panax Ginseng

Panax ginseng is one well-known adaptogen herb and considered by many to be the most potent.  In humans, Panax ginseng improves your calmness and working memory.

First of all, Panax may reduce your chances of ulcers.  It assists with the adrenal glands and lowers blood glucose levels.  Panax also helps your triglycerides and reduces damage to the circulatory system. Most importanly, red ginseng also has antioxidant effects and improves mood and mental performance.

2. Holy Basil

How does this top adaptogen herb control stress?  Holy Basil, is great for infections, skin diseases, and hepatic disorders.  Plus, it’s  used for the common cold and cough.  Other uses include treatment for malarial fever and as an antidote for snakebite and scorpion sting”.

Most importantly Holy basil is prescribed for use as anti-stress benefits.  One reason for that is it has three phytochemical compounds that lower stress. Because of these stress-related benefits, holy basil helps to lower blood pressure.  It can even reduce seizure activity, fight bacteria, kill certain fungi. Additionally, it combats viral infections, protects the liver, and reduces the pain response.

3. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is often referred to as Indian ginseng.  For decades Ashwagandha wins over cortisol for stress tolerance and internal stress responses.  Reviews show its benefits on various types of tumors, memory, and brain health.

Furthermore, Ashwagandha reduces inflammation and arthritis.

4. Astragalus Root

Used in Chinese medicine, astragalus boosts immunity.   It is also known to buffer the effects of stress.  Astragalus root may actually increase cortisol levels.  This allows the body to respond to certain types of stress.  This is a quick boost in cortisol. Then it lets the hormone level out as soon as the stressor ceases.

Studies show that astragalus improves physical performance.  Astragalus helps the body get rid of disease-promoting free radicals.  It improves the use of glucose in the bloodstream and protects the liver.

5. Rhodiola

Rhodiola, or golden root, is a potent adaptogen that has been the focus of much research.  Like the other adaptogens, Rhodiola provides a biological defense against stress.  A study in Sweden, tested the impact on people “suffering from stress-related fatigue”.  They found Rhodiola “exerts an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental performance. It also increases the ability to concentrate.  Plus it decreases cortisol response in burnout patients with fatigue syndrome”.

6. Reishi Mushroom

Cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms are all fungi with antioxidant properties.  How do these top adaptogen herbs control stress?  Each has adaptogenic, anti-tumor, and immune-enhancing properties.

The adaptogenic effect of reishi boosts cortisol when exposed to stress.  Then followed by a drop of cortisol during the non-stress period.

7. Licorice Root

Licorice root can increase energy, endurance, and boost the immune system.  Furthermore,  it protects the thymus from damage by cortisol.  Finally, it may affect blood pressure and potassium levels.  The protocol is to use traditional licorice root in cycles of 12 weeks.  DGL licorice is safe for long-term use.

Some Precautions…

As always, you should discuss any new supplements with your doctor. Especially with apoptogenic herbs.  Because several of them could interact with prescription medications. They are not recommended for people with certain conditions.  Use only high-quality, organic varieties from trustworthy sources.

In conclusion, for further research on plants, herbs, and natural remedies. Here is a resource that I found to be helpful. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments by Andrew Chevallier.

I am Shirley Noah, an internationally known stress expert and entrepreneur. I would love to connect further with you to help you improve your health and wellbeing.  If you want to learn more about stress relief, please take a look at this popular course How To Outsmart Your Stress

Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook.   Or Check out my website  www.ingoodhealthcoach.com.